Miner, 22, drowns at St Elizabeth Backdam

Police are investigating the suspected drowning of a 22-year-old miner which occurred at the St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro in Region Eight on Tuesday morning.

Dead is Shamar Roberts called “Ten Pound”, a resident of 104 Melanie North, East Coast Demerara.

The incident occurred at about 09:00hrs.

Reports are that Roberts worked for about one month as a pitman on a mining operation.

In a statement, Police Headquarters said Roberts’ co-worker, 26-year-old Akeem Maddison, related that they were rolling a drum of fuel into an old mining pit.

The mining pit contained water so the men were required to get into the water to their mining operation.

While Roberts and his co-worker were crossing the pit, Police said Maddison related that he noticed Roberts moved off from the fuel drum and went into another direction.

So, Maddison said he immediately tried to reach out to Roberts, who became submerged under the water.

An alarm was raised and a search team was formed to locate Roberts.

Hours after, Police said Roberts body was found and fished out of the pit.

His body was examined and there were no visible marks of violence.

Roberts body was taken to the Mahdia District hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination will be performed soon.